Citizens Fire Academy sees high enrollment in first year

November 26, 2012 4:46 PM

Photo: Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

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Firefighter Cody Davenport supports Citizen's Fire Academy student Annamarie Ramos as she tries her hand at managing a fire hose. Ramos is among a group of 19 people from the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy. The 12-week long class met once a week and learned about how the San Antonio Fire Department works and how firefighters do their jobs. The goal of SAFD is to offer public awareness and education. During this class session, the students learned in class about how firefighters tackle a fire scene and then saw an a fire demonstration out at the academy facility. Last night's class was topped off with some of the students getting a chance at handling a fire hose. less

Firefighter Cody Davenport supports Citizen's Fire Academy student Annamarie Ramos as she tries her hand at managing a fire hose. Ramos is among a group of 19 people from the department's first Citizen's Fire ... more

Members of the San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy make their way up several flights of stairs in full bunker gear at the Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on fire suits, learned how to use a breathing apparatus and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

Members of the San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy make their way up several flights of stairs in full bunker gear at the Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on fire suits, ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Members of the San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's... Photo-3789397.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Megan Mendez puts on a mask along with her helmet and bunker gear with other students of the San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how to use a breathing apparatus and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

Megan Mendez puts on a mask along with her helmet and bunker gear with other students of the San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Megan Mendez puts on a mask along with her helmet and bunker gear... Photo-3789383.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Student Pete Hernandez runs upstairs with inch and three-quarter hose Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

Student Pete Hernandez runs upstairs with inch and three-quarter hose Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how a ... more

San Antonio Fire Department Fire Academy instructor Bennie Marberry (second from right) talks to students from the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy after a fire demonstration on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. The 12-week long class meets once a week and will learn much about how the San Antonio Fire Department works and how firefighters do their jobs. The goal of SAFD is to offer public awareness and education and when the group finishes, they can be advocates for the department. During this class session, the students learned in class about how firefighters tackle a fire scene and then saw an a fire demonstration out at the academy facility. They topped off the evening with some of them getting a chance at handling a fire hose - though at slightly less pressure. less

San Antonio Fire Department Fire Academy instructor Bennie Marberry (second from right) talks to students from the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy after a fire demonstration on Tuesday, Sept. 18, ... more

A Texas Air National Guard F-16 flies over the extended aerial platform of a SAFD truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The department's Citizen's Fire Academy class were given a tour of several firefighting vehicles on the grounds of the training academy. less

A Texas Air National Guard F-16 flies over the extended aerial platform of a SAFD truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The department's Citizen's Fire Academy class were given a tour of several firefighting ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

A Texas Air National Guard F-16 flies over the extended aerial... Photo-3789380.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Lydia Borroel (from left), Borroel's sister Annamarie Ramos and Megan Mendez have a laugh as they put on their bunker gear or protective equipment during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on the suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

Lydia Borroel (from left), Borroel's sister Annamarie Ramos and Megan Mendez have a laugh as they put on their bunker gear or protective equipment during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire ... more

Ashley Marroquin (from left) Alicia Martinez and Frances Lopez gather their bunker gear during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on fire suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

San Antonio Fire Academy instructor Ben Marberry helps student Albert Alvizo with his breathing apparatus as other members of the Citizen's Fire Academy try on bunker gear for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective fire suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

San Antonio Fire Academy instructor Ben Marberry helps student Albert Alvizo with his breathing apparatus as other members of the Citizen's Fire Academy try on bunker gear for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. ... more

Albert Alvizo sits the driver's seat of a San Antonio Fire Department ladder truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Alvizo is part of the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy. The group of 19 people are given an opportunity to experience and learn about what life is like for the city's firefighters. On Tuesday, the group was given a tour of several firefighting vehicles on the grounds of the training academy. less

Albert Alvizo sits the driver's seat of a San Antonio Fire Department ladder truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Alvizo is part of the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy. The group of 19 people are given ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Albert Alvizo sits the driver's seat of a San Antonio Fire... Photo-3789386.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Megan Mendez on the nozzle with Albert Alvizo shoot water at a structure as instructor Ben Marberry watches in amusement on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The Citizen's Fire Academy students put on protective suits, learned how to use a breathing apparatus and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

Megan Mendez on the nozzle with Albert Alvizo shoot water at a structure as instructor Ben Marberry watches in amusement on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The Citizen's Fire Academy students put on protective suits, ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Megan Mendez on the nozzle with Albert Alvizo shoot water at a... Photo-3789387.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Pete Hernadez (from left), Michael Henderson and SAFD PIO Christian Bove prepare to walk up several flights of stairs in their bunker gear and breathing apparatus during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on the suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

Pete Hernadez (from left), Michael Henderson and SAFD PIO Christian Bove prepare to walk up several flights of stairs in their bunker gear and breathing apparatus during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's ... more

Students Annamarie Ramos (from right), Lydia Borroel, Megan Mendez and Roman de la Luz observe and listen to a demonstration of a working fire at the San Antonio Fire Department's first Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. The 12-week long class meets once a week and will learn much about how the fire department works and how firefighters do their jobs. The goal of SAFD is to offer public awareness and education and when the group finishes, they can be advocates for the department. During this class session, the students learned in class about how firefighters tackle a fire scene and then saw an a fire demonstration out at the academy facility. They topped off the evening with some of them getting a chance at handling a fire hose - though at slightly less pressure. less

Students Annamarie Ramos (from right), Lydia Borroel, Megan Mendez and Roman de la Luz observe and listen to a demonstration of a working fire at the San Antonio Fire Department's first Citizen's Fire Academy ... more

A Citizen's Fire Academy students walks out from a smoke-filled building at as part of an exercise at the San Antonio Fire Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students have spent one day a week for the past 12 weeks learning what firefighters experience during training and on the the job. less

A Citizen's Fire Academy students walks out from a smoke-filled building at as part of an exercise at the San Antonio Fire Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students have spent one day a week for the ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

A Citizen's Fire Academy students walks out from a... Photo-3789393.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Megan Mendez runs with a inch and three-quarter hose as members of the Citizen's Fire Acadmey perform a fire hose exercise on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose. less

Megan Mendez runs with a inch and three-quarter hose as members of the Citizen's Fire Acadmey perform a fire hose exercise on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how a breathing ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Megan Mendez runs with a inch and three-quarter hose as members of... Photo-3789394.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Citizen's Fire Academy students are seen via a thermal imager as they walk in a darkened smoke-filled room on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students spent 12 weeks, once a week, taking part in exercises and interactions to understand what firefighters go through in training and work. less

Citizen's Fire Academy students are seen via a thermal imager as they walk in a darkened smoke-filled room on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students spent 12 weeks, once a week, taking part in exercises and ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Citizen's Fire Academy students are seen via a thermal imager... Photo-3789395.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Students talk with firefighters by an aerial platform truck Week 5 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group was given a tour of several firefighting vehicles on the grounds of the training academy. less

Students talk with firefighters by an aerial platform truck Week 5 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group was given a tour of several firefighting vehicles ... more

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

Students talk with firefighters by an aerial platform truck Week 5... Photo-3789398.52991 - San Antonio Express-News

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Arson Investigator and Engineer J.D. Davis takes his arson dog Kai through an exercise as part of demonstration for Citizen's Fire Academy students on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012.

Arson Investigator and Engineer J.D. Davis takes his arson dog Kai through an exercise as part of demonstration for Citizen's Fire Academy students on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012.